Acceleration of energetic particles by shock waves from large solar flares

Time-intensity profiles for solar proton events are analyzed with respect to the acceleration of energetic particles from the ambient solar wind by an interplanetary shock. The time-intensity profiles are derived from the Helio 1 particle data base for 1974 to 1984. It is found that many of the large proton events display a prolonged plateau. The Fe/O abundances in the large proton events are studied. It is observed that initially the Fe/O ratio is high (about 1.0), but after proton intensities increase to about 100 protons/sq cm sr sec MeV the Fe/O ratio decreases to a value near 0.1.